Holder for attaching items to clothing

ABSTRACT

A holder for a portable electronic device, including a receptacle adapted for receiving therein a portable electronic device, a pair of magnetic elements adapted for fixing the receptacle to a garment, wherein a portion of the garment is positioned between the magnetic elements and held by magnetic attraction between the magnetic elements, and a finger guide element positioned with respect to the receptacle such that when the portable electronic device is placed in the receptacle, the finger guide element is adjacent a control button of the portable electronic device and the finger guide element guides a finger of a user to operate the control button.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a holder used to attach itemsto garments, such as a magnetic holder for attaching items to garments.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many devices are known for attaching items to clothing, such as clips,pins, adhesive, and lanyards. However, there are drawbacks to thesedevices. Clips which utilize a biting pair of spring loaded teeth(alligator clip) need a bite of clothing such as a pocket flap or lapelto attach to and cannot attach to the portions of clothing with no flap,fold or edge. Pins penetrate clothing and can damage fabric by leaving ahole. Pins are also troublesome to attach and remove from clothing whileit is being worn. Adhesive backed items are typically limited totemporary use, since the adhesive backing is typically designed to bedisposable and generally progressively weakens with time. Lanyards canbe unfashionable, unattractive, uncomfortable and distracting.

Magnetic holders or clips for attaching items to garments are alsoknown. At least as early as 1952, U.S. Pat. No. 2,592,395 to Cummings ofthe Hadley Company described a magnetic necktie holder with magneticpieces on opposite sides of the shirt. The shirt is sandwiched betweenthe two magnetic pieces and the attraction of the magnetic pieces toeach other holds the tie in place.

US Patent Application 2005167485 to Taras describes a magnetic clip forattaching identification cards to clothing. The magnetic clip includes abendable hanger strap, a card attachment clasp, and a magneticconnector. The magnetic connector is a two-part magnetic connector. Onepart is a ferrous metal plate with a surface to which a logo emblem canbe displayed. The second (free) piece of the two part magnetic connectoris a high strength magnet which can be detached and placed behindclothing.

US Patent Application 2004200080 to Lauri describes a razor blade holderthat includes a slotted housing for removably retaining a razor bladetherewithin. The housing is used with a keeper having a magnet affixedthereto. The housing and keeper sandwich a portion of a garmenttherebetween to provide easy and safe access to a razor blade.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention seeks to provide novel holder for a portableelectronic device, as is described more in detail hereinbelow. In oneembodiment of the invention, the holder is particularly suited forholding a portable handheld multimedia device, such as an MP3 player,and most particularly the IPOD player manufactured by Apple Computer,Inc. of Cupertino, Calif., US. The holder may be affixed to a garment bymagnetic attraction.

Another embodiment of the present invention may be used for holding akey, such as house keys or car keys, by magnetic attraction to agarment.

There is thus provided in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention a holder for a portable electronic device, including areceptacle adapted for receiving therein a portable electronic device, apair of magnetic elements adapted for fixing the receptacle to agarment, wherein a portion of the garment is positioned between themagnetic elements and held by magnetic attraction between the magneticelements, and a finger guide element positioned with respect to thereceptacle such that when the portable electronic device is placed inthe receptacle, the finger guide element is adjacent a control button ofthe portable electronic device and the finger guide element guides afinger of a user to operate the control button.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention the fingerguide element may include a tactile member with a window such that whenthe portable electronic device is placed in the receptacle, the tactilemember is adjacent a control button of the portable electronic deviceand the tactile member guides a finger of a user to operate the controlbutton via the window. The finger guide element may include a tacticalmember flexibly mounted thereon such that the tactical member ispressable on to the control button of the portable electronic deviceplaced in the receptacle. One of the magnetic elements may be mounted onthe receptacle and the other of the magnetic elements may be mounted onthe finger guide element.

Further in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention theremay be included a wire organizer element that includes another pair ofmagnetic elements adapted for fixing the wire organizer element to agarment, wherein a portion of the garment is positioned between theother pair of magnetic elements and is held by magnetic attractionbetween the other pair of magnetic elements, the wire organizer elementincluding lugs for wrapping wire thereabout.

There is also provided in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention a method for holding a portable electronic device on agarment, including providing a pair of magnetic elements that arepositioned not to electromagnetically interfere with operation of aportable electronic device, affixing one of the magnetic elements withrespect to the portable electronic device, and placing a portion of agarment between the pair of magnetic elements, wherein the portableelectronic device is held by magnetic attraction between the pair ofmagnetic elements.

There is also provided in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention a holder for a key including a receptacle including anelongate pocket adapted for receiving therein a shank of a key, theelongate pocket extending from a key-head receiving member adapted forreceiving therein a head of the key, the key-head receiving member beingpartially open to provide access for gripping the head of the key placedtherein, and a pair of magnetic elements adapted for fixing thereceptacle to a garment, wherein a portion of the garment is positionedbetween the magnetic elements and held by magnetic attraction betweenthe magnetic elements.

The key placed in the receptacle may have a head with an aperture formedtherein and the aperture may be exposed in the key-head receivingmember.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention the receptaclemay include a pattern that uniquely identifies a key placed in thereceptacle. The pattern may be visual and/or tactile.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be understood and appreciated more fully fromthe following detailed description taken in conjunction with theappended drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a simplified pictorial illustration of a holder for a portableelectronic device, constructed and operative in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a simplified exploded, pictorial illustration of the holder ofFIG. 1;

FIGS. 3A and 3B are simplified side-view illustrations of attaching theholder of FIG. 1 with pairs of magnetic elements to a garment, inaccordance with embodiments of the present invention;

FIGS. 3C-3F are simplified pictorial illustrations of another version ofa holder for the portable electronic device, constructed and operativein accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, wherein FIG.3C is a front perspective view of the holder with the portableelectronic device installed therein, FIG. 3D is a rear perspective viewof the holder showing the magnetic fastener that is placed on the otherside of the garment to attract and hold the holder in place, FIG. 3E isa rear perspective view of the holder showing female attachment membersfor the magnetic fastener, and FIG. 3F is a side view of the magneticfastener showing male attachment members that mate with the femaleattachment members of the holder;

FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C are simplified pictorial illustrations of a wireorganizer element for wires associated with the portable electronicdevice of FIG. 1, constructed and operative in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 5 and 6 are simplified pictorial and side-view illustrations,respectively, of a holder for a key, constructed and operative inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIGS. 7 and 8 are simplified pictorial and side-view illustrations,respectively, of another version of the holder of FIGS. 5 and 6,including a pattern that uniquely identifies the key placed in theholder.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Reference is now made to FIGS. 1 and 2, which illustrate a holder 10 fora portable electronic device 12, constructed and operative in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention. The portable electronicdevice 12 may include, without limitation, a cell phone, a PDA or aportable handheld multimedia device, such as an MP3 player, for example.In the non-limiting embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, portableelectronic device 12 is an IPOD player, available in a variety of modelsfrom Apple Computer.

The holder 10 may include a receptacle 14 adapted for receiving thereinthe portable electronic device 12. In the non-limiting embodimentillustrated in FIG. 2, the receptacle 14 may be an injection moldedplastic housing with an aperture 16 for inserting the portableelectronic device 12 therethrough, another aperture 15 (FIG. 2) forproviding access to a control button 24 of portable electronic device12, another aperture 17 for providing viewing access to a display 25 ofportable electronic device 12, and yet another aperture 18 (FIG. 2) forattaching a headphone jack 20 (FIG. 1) to portable electronic device 12.

A finger guide element 22 may be positioned with respect to receptacle14 such that when the portable electronic device 12 is placed inreceptacle 14, the finger guide element 22 is adjacent control button 24of the portable electronic device 12, such as the circular control padof the IPOD. For example, finger guide element 22 may comprise aperipheral frame 23 and the finger guide element 22 may include atactile member 26 (e.g., a circular hub positioned to overlie the centerof the circular control pad of the IPOD), which may be attached to thesides of the frame 23 by slender, arcuate arms 28. The space between thearms 28 and the sides of frame 23 define a window 30. When the portableelectronic device 12 is placed in receptacle 14, the tactile member 26is adjacent control button 24 of portable electronic device 12. Thetactile member 26 guides a finger 32 (shown in FIG. 3A) of a user tooperate control button 24 via window 30. For example, the user does notneed to actually look at the portable electronic device 12. Rather theuser merely has to touch the tactile member 26 and his/her finger 32 isproperly registered with the functions of the control button 24 ofportable electronic device 12, to perform such actions as select,forward, reverse, etc. Thus the invention obviates the need of having tolook at the control button 24 of portable electronic device 12, whichmay be useful during such activities as jogging.

The tactile member 26 of finger guide element 22 may be flexibly mountedon frame 23 (e.g., by means of the slender arms 28, which may beinjection molded from plastic) such that the tactical member 26 ispressable on to the control button 24 of the portable electronic device12 placed in the receptacle 14. In certain models of the portableelectronic device 12, this feature may allow the user to utilize thetactile member 26 to control the control button 24.

Reference is now additionally made to FIGS. 3A and 3B. One or more pairsof magnetic elements 34 may be provided for fixing receptacle 14 to agarment 36 (e.g., a shirt, blouse, etc.). A portion of the garment 36 ispositioned between the magnetic elements 34 and held by magneticattraction between the magnetic elements 34. The magnetic elements 34may comprise, without limitation, neodymium-iron-boron magnets, wellknown for their magnetic strength-to-size ratio.

The term “magnetic elements” encompasses an element that has theproperty of attracting objects to it by magnetic force (for example, amagnet) as well as an element that has the property of being attractedby magnetic force (for example, iron).

One of the magnetic elements 34 may be mounted on receptacle 14 and theother of the magnetic elements 34 may be mounted on the finger guideelement 22, such as on the periphery of frame 23. The magnetic elements34 are preferably positioned not to electromagnetically interfere withoperation of portable electronic device 12.

In FIGS. 1, 2 and 3A, two frames 23 are provided. One of the frames 23is magnetically attached to the top of receptacle 14 and the garment 36is sandwiched between the other frame 23 and the bottom of receptacle14. It is noted, that alternatively, the upper frame 23 may benon-magnetically attached to receptacle 14, such as by bonding withadhesive or with mechanical fasteners such as screws. In FIG. 3B, analternative approach is shown, wherein only one frame 23 is used and thegarment 36 is sandwiched between frame 23 and the bottom of receptacle14.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 3C and 3D, which illustrate anotherversion of the holder for a portable electronic device 12, constructedand operative in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention,and designated holder 80. As with holder 10, holder 80 may include areceptacle 82 adapted for receiving therein the portable electronicdevice 12. In the non-limiting embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3C and3D, the receptacle 82 may be an injection molded plastic housing with anaperture 84 for inserting the portable electronic device 12therethrough, another aperture 85 for providing access to control button24 of portable electronic device 12, and another aperture 86 forproviding viewing access to display 25 of portable electronic device 12.The aperture 84 may also provide access for attaching a headphone jack(not shown here, but the same as jack 20 in FIG. 1) to portableelectronic device 12.

A finger guide element 88 may be positioned with respect to receptacle82 such that when the portable electronic device 12 is placed inreceptacle 82, the finger guide element 88 is adjacent control button 24of the portable electronic device 12, such as the circular control padof the IPOD. For example, finger guide element 88 may comprise aperipheral frame 89 (the sides of receptacle 82) and the finger guideelement 88 may include a tactile member 90 (e.g., a circular hubpositioned to overlie the center of the circular control pad of theIPOD), which may be attached to the sides of the frame 89 by slender,arcuate arms 91. The space between the arms 91 and the sides of frame 89define a window, which is the same as aperture 85. When the portableelectronic device 12 is placed in receptacle 82, the tactile member 90is adjacent control button 24 of portable electronic device 12. Thetactile member 90 guides the user's finger (not shown here, but similarto that shown in FIG. 3A) to operate control button 24 via the aperture85. As before, the tactile member 90 may be flexibly mounted on frame 89such that the tactical member 90 is pressable on to the control button24 of the portable electronic device 12 placed in the receptacle 82.

FIG. 3C is a front perspective view of the holder 80 with the portableelectronic device 12 installed therein. FIG. 3D is a rear perspectiveview of the holder 80 showing a magnetic fastener 92, which is meant tobe placed on the other side of the garment (not shown here) to attractand hold the holder 80 in place, as described above for holder 10.Referring additionally to FIG. 3E, holder 80 may include femaleattachment members 94, such as recesses formed in the body of receptacle82 with magnetic elements 95 on the inner side of, or flush with, therecesses. Referring additionally to FIG. 3F, the magnetic fastener 92may include male attachment members 96, such as magnetic elements 97that protrude from the surface of the magnetic fastener 92. The maleattachment members 96 are sized and configured to mate with the femaleattachment members 94 of the holder 80, such as by male attachmentmembers 96 snugly fitting into the recesses of female attachment members94. This arrangement greatly facilitates proper alignment of themagnetic elements when attaching them on both sides of the garment. (Itis appreciated that the male attachment member may alternatively be onthe magnetic fastener 92 and the female attachment member may be onholder 80.) The garment gets “tucked” into the recesses of femaleattachment members 94 and is held there by the male attachment members96 snugly fitting into the recesses of female attachment members 94.This creates seizure or a binding force on the garment to hold it inplace.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C, which illustrate a wireorganizer element 40 for wires 42 (FIG. 1) associated with the portableelectronic device 12 of FIG. 1. (Wires 42, as seen in FIG. 1, may be thewires that lead to a headphone 49.) The wire organizer element 40 mayinclude a male member 44 (FIG. 4A) comprising a magnetic base 46 andlugs 48 for wrapping wire thereabout. Male member 44 may further includea groove 47 for wrapping wire thereabout. The wire organizer element 40may further include a female member 43 (FIGS. 4B and 4C) with a magneticrim 45 that is held by magnetic force to magnetic base 46. Male member44 and female member 43 may be formed with central bores 41 for passingwires therethrough.

Reference is now made to FIG. 4D, which illustrates another version ofwire organizer element 40, designated wire organizer element 102. Thewire organizer element 102 may include a male member 104, comprising amagnetic base 106 and one or more lugs 108 for wrapping wire thereabout.The wire organizer element 102 may further include a female member 110with a magnetic recess 112. The male member 104 may be sized andconfigured to mate with the recess of female member 110. Thisarrangement greatly facilitates proper alignment of the magneticelements when attaching them on both sides of the garment.

FIG. 1 shows wire organizer element 40 with male member 44 and femalemember 43 on opposite sides of garment 36. The wire organizer element 40is fixed to garment 36 by the magnetic attraction between the magneticelements, i.e., magnetic base 46 and magnetic rim 45.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 5-8, which illustrate holder 50 for a key52, constructed and operative in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, holder 50 may include a receptacle 54 including anelongate pocket 56 adapted for receiving therein a shank 58 of key 52.The elongate pocket 56 may extend from a key-head receiving member 60adapted for receiving therein a head 62 of key 52. The key-headreceiving member 60 may be partially open to provide access for grippingthe head 62 of the key 52. The key head 62 may be formed with anaperture 63. The aperture 63 may be exposed in the key-head receivingmember 60.

Referring to FIG. 6, one or more pairs of magnetic elements 64 and 66may be provided for fixing receptacle 54 to a garment 67. For example,magnetic element 64 may be mounted on a rear side of receptacle 54(either inside receptacle 54 or on an outer side of receptacle 54) andmagnetic element 66 may be mounted in a separate backing member 68(again, either inside backing member 68 or on an outer side of backingmember 68). Garment 67 is positioned between the magnetic elements 64and 66 and held by magnetic attraction between the magnetic elements 64and 66.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 7 and 8, which illustrate another versionof holder 50. In this embodiment, the receptacle 54 includes a pattern70 that uniquely identifies the key 52 placed in receptacle 54. Forexample, the pattern 70 may be rows/columns of protrusions 72 thatprotrude from the outer surface of receptacle 54. The pattern 70 thusmay be a visual pattern (easily discernible by color, for example) or atactile pattern (the protrusions that may be felt by anyone, includingvisually impaired persons) or any combination thereof.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that instead ofbeing a holder for keys, the holder 50 could be designed to hold otherobjects, such as but not limited to, coins, bills, ID cards, etc. It isalso appreciated that holder 50 may be provided with male and femaleattachment members as described hereinabove for holder 80 and wireorganizer element 102, which may greatly facilitate proper alignment ofthe magnetic elements when attaching them on both sides of the garment.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the presentinvention is not limited by what has been particularly shown anddescribed hereinabove. Rather the scope of the present inventionincludes both combinations and subcombinations of the features describedhereinabove as well as modifications and variations thereof which wouldoccur to a person of skill in the art upon reading the foregoingdescription and which are not in the prior art.

What is claimed is:
 1. A holder for a portable electronic device,comprising: a receptacle adapted for receiving therein a portableelectronic device; a pair of magnetic elements adapted for fixing saidreceptacle to a garment, wherein a portion of said garment is positionedbetween said magnetic elements and held by magnetic attraction betweensaid magnetic elements; and a finger guide element positioned withrespect to said receptacle such that when the portable electronic deviceis placed in said receptacle, said finger guide element is adjacent acontrol button of said portable electronic device and said finger guideelement guides a finger of a user to operate said control button.
 2. Theholder according to claim 1, wherein said finger guide element comprisesa tactile member with a window such that when the portable electronicdevice is placed in said receptacle, said tactile member is adjacent acontrol button of said portable electronic device and said tactilemember guides a finger of a user to operate said control button via saidwindow.
 3. The holder according to claim 1, wherein said finger guideelement comprises a tactical member flexibly mounted thereon such thatsaid tactical member is pressable on to the control button of theportable electronic device placed in said receptacle.
 4. The holderaccording to claim 1, wherein one of said magnetic elements is mountedon said receptacle and the other of said magnetic elements is mounted onsaid finger guide element.
 5. The holder according to claim 1, furthercomprising a wire organizer element that comprises another pair ofmagnetic elements adapted for fixing said wire organizer element to agarment, wherein a portion of said garment is positioned between saidother pair of magnetic elements and is held by magnetic attractionbetween said other pair of magnetic elements, said wire organizerelement comprising at least one lug for wrapping wire thereabout.
 6. Theholder according to claim 1, further comprising a portable electronicdevice placed in said receptacle.
 7. The holder according to claim 6,wherein said portable electronic device comprises a portable handheldmultimedia device.
 8. The holder according to claim 1, wherein saidmagnetic elements comprise a male attachment member that protrudes andfits into a recess of a female attachment member, wherein the garment isseized between said male and female attachment members.
 9. A holder fora portable electronic device, comprising: a receptacle adapted forreceiving therein a portable handheld multimedia device; and a fingerguide element positioned with respect to said receptacle such that whenthe portable handheld multimedia device is placed in said receptacle,said finger guide element is adjacent a control button of said portablehandheld multimedia device and said finger guide element guides a fingerof a user to operate said control button.
 10. The holder according toclaim 9, wherein said finger guide element comprises a tactile memberwith a window such that when the portable handheld multimedia device isplaced in said receptacle, said tactile member is adjacent a controlbutton of said portable handheld multimedia device and said tactilemember guides a finger of a user to operate said control button via saidwindow.
 11. The holder according to claim 9, wherein said finger guideelement comprises a tactical member flexibly mounted thereon such thatsaid tactical member is pressable on to the control button of theportable handheld multimedia device placed in said receptacle.
 12. Theholder according to claim 9, further comprising a portable handheldmultimedia device placed in said receptacle.
 13. A method for holding aportable electronic device on a garment, comprising: providing a pair ofmagnetic elements that are positioned not to electromagneticallyinterfere with operation of a portable electronic device; affixing oneof the magnetic elements with respect to said portable electronicdevice; and placing a portion of a garment between said pair of magneticelements, wherein said portable electronic device is held by magneticattraction between said pair of magnetic elements.